FIATC Girona travels to face Casademont Zaragoza on Saturday at 18:00 (DAZN), with head coach Moncho Fernández confirming that Mac McClung will be the team’s only roster addition for their bid for the first away victory in the Liga ACB. Both clubs enter the weekend sharing an identical 3-2 record alongside seven other teams in a tightly packed league standings table ranging from third to eleventh place.
Roster Strain and Travel Demands Ahead of Zaragoza
The Catalan squad arrives in Aragon following a grueling travel schedule that left the coaching staff managing heavy fatigue. “We arrived Thursday at midday, and after Friday’s training session we leave again. There isn’t much time. The focus is on trying to win and be competitive,” Fernández said. The club will be without Pep Busquets, Isaac Vázquez, and Maxi Fjellerup. McClung returns to domestic action after sitting out recent Eurocup fixtures due to roster quota restrictions and a minor hamstring strain.
Defensive Focus Against High-Scoring Opposition
Zaragoza presents a formidable offensive challenge across all positions, according to the Girona bench boss. “It is very early to make global assessments, but Zaragoza is playing remarkably well. They have a very large offensive potential and are very dangerous in all positions: the perimeter, the inside players… Our defense has to be a key if we want to win,” Fernández noted. The hosts will play without shooting guard Caleb Homesley, sidelined for three weeks with a sprained ankle, while point guard Trae Bell-Haynes remains listed as doubtful.
Final a Hongria pic.twitter.com/ioWeYNktaJ
Reuniting with Laurynas Birutis
Zaragoza center Laurynas Birutis will feature against his former coach after establishing a strong run of form in Spain following stints in the EuroLeague. Fernández previously coached the Lithuanian big man during his initial professional experience outside his home country with Obradoiro. “I had the fortune of directing him in his first experience outside of Lithuania. He is a player who is maturing immensely, arriving from the EuroLeague and the numbers speak for themselves,” Fernández said. “He is having an incredible season, not only from a scoring point of view, but with quality assists to his teammates.”
Offensive Efficiency and Free Throw Struggles
Girona aims to rebound from a midweek defeat that slipped away in the final seconds due to a late negative scoring run. Fernández pointed to persistent offensive execution issues, including struggles from beyond the arc and the free-throw line. “In Hungary we made 11 more field goals than the rival, but we weren’t accurate from three and then we continued with the problem we’ve dragged all year from the free throw line. We gifted seven points, once more,” Fernández explained.
Pluta’s Resilience and Professionalism
Pluta earned high praise from the coaching staff following a strong performance in last weekend’s victory over Joventut, despite playing through pain. “That he is a great player we all know, but I would like to highlight his involvement. He is playing with a messed-up ankle and his commitment to the team is absolute,” Fernández stated, commending the player’s dedication ahead of Saturday’s tip-off.
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